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Picture this: You’ve rented a charming Airbnb or RV for the weekend and you’ve just had a memorable meal with friends. Now nature calls and you rush to the bathroom to get to work. Maybe it’s you, or maybe the plumbing is bad, but somehow the toilet is clogged — and there’s no plunger in sight.
Don’t panic. And don’t you dare leave that bathroom in the state it’s in. It’s time to scan your surroundings for some easy household items that can help you out.
Here’s what you need to do. Grab some dish soap, hot water, and a bucket — and let the chemistry do the rest. Yes, the plunger-less approach really is that easy. Here’s how to do it.
For more household tips, here’s how to mold in your washing machineand 12 simple ways to make your mattress last longer.
Everything you need to unclog the toilet is probably already in the bathroom
Most clogged toilets can be unclogged with soap, hot water, and some time.
Again, you only need three supplies that can be found in almost any bathroom: soap, hot water, and a container to pour water into the toilet. Dish soap, hot bath water, and a 5-gallon bucket work best, but if secrecy is paramount and leaving the toilet would blow your cover, a few pumps from a hand soap dispenser and some hot tap water in a small plastic trash can will suffice.
First, make sure the water in your sink or tub is hot — as hot as it can get. Don’t overdo it — there’s no need to boil the water. At those temperatures you could crack the porcelain or, worse, injure yourself. Just let the tap water get as hot as it can go and you’re in range.
While you’re waiting for hot water, go ahead and clean up everything from the floor — scales, bath mats… pets. You’ll be very careful to avoid spills, of course, but better safe than sorry.
Pop this inexpensive little bottle of spray in your pocket or purse and make sure every restroom you visit smells fresh.
Details
Let the chemistry do the work, but be careful
Your goal is to get the liquid as hot and soapy as possible into the toilet bowl, as quickly as possible, without overflowing. This is the step that requires the most finesse.
If you have already flushed the blockage a second time and the toilet is completely full, pour the soap directly into the toilet and then add as much hot water as possible, if possible.
However, if you have the space, mix the soap and water first, then pour the soapy concoction into the bowl as quickly as possible. In a perfect storm, the heat and soap will lubricate the clog while the force of the water pushes it through. That said, hopefully your reflexes are quick, because you may have to stop pouring abruptly if the clog doesn’t immediately dislodge.
A note about the soap: You really can’t overdo the soap at this point. You’re not going to be stirring the solution too much, so the bowl probably won’t erupt into a volcano of foam if you overdo it. I’m not saying you should pour the entire bottle of soap in, but I’m also not saying you shouldn’t. See what I mean?
Dish soap works best, but in an emergency, hand soap will do just fine. Then all you need is hot water and something to throw it in the toilet, like a small trash can.
Whatever happens, don’t stir the toilet bowl
Whatever you do, you don’t have to stir it up to mix the hot, soapy water with the cold, dirty water that was there before. Science will take care of that for you through a process called osmosis. If the clog doesn’t go away after your soapy water tsunami, your next step is to just be patient.
Most toilet clogs aren’t 100% clogged, so chances are yours will drain slowly at first. Keep an eye on the water level and, as it drops, keep adding more hot water to keep it full. If the clog isn’t too bad, the added pressure of a full bowl, plus the lubricating quality of the soap, should help clear the clog fairly quickly.
Many bathroom bins are small enough to fit under the sink. If yours doesn’t, you can also use the faucet in the tub or shower.
If all else fails, give it more time
The worst case scenario is that the clog is too firmly in place and the above steps don’t push it down right away. If that happens, you don’t need to call a plumber or go to the hardware store just yet.
Try giving it some time to let the hot soapy water dissolve the clog. Walk away, close the bathroom door, and wait 30 to 60 minutes before checking again. If you do, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that your problem has disappeared down the drain.
That may mean blowing your cover if you try to unclog the toilet incognito, in which case you best hope you don’t become the butt of future jokes.
Good luck with that.
For more cleaning tips, check out 14 of our favorite cleaning tools and learn how to clean your kitchen in 15 minutes or less.
